7 Essential Services And Latest Updates From The Chesapeake Health Department VA

The Chesapeake Health Department (CHD), a vital part of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), is the primary public health resource for the City of Chesapeake, Virginia. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the department continues its crucial mission of protecting and promoting the health and well-being of its community through a wide array of clinical, environmental, and educational services, with a recent focus on overdose reduction and childhood safety initiatives. The CHD serves as the frontline defense against local health crises, ensuring access to essential care and promoting preventative measures across all demographics.

The department’s efforts are consistently updated to address current public health challenges, from managing infectious diseases like tuberculosis and STDs to ensuring food safety and proper sanitation throughout the city. Whether you are a new parent seeking WIC assistance or a business owner needing an environmental health permit, the Chesapeake Health Department is the central hub for essential health services and critical community information.

Chesapeake Health Department: Key Facts and Leadership Profile

The Chesapeake Health Department operates under the umbrella of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and is dedicated to serving the specific needs of the Chesapeake community. The department’s structure includes various specialized programs, each managed by dedicated public health professionals.

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• Official Name: Chesapeake Health Department (Chesapeake Health District)
• Affiliation: Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
• Physical Address (Main Office): 748 Battlefield Boulevard North, Chesapeake, VA 23320
• Main Contact Number (Clinic): 757-382-8631
• Health Director: Nancy Welch, MD, MPH (a key voice in regional public health discussions, particularly regarding the opioid crisis and school-based health initiatives)
• Media Contact: Kimi Stevens (often cited in VDH news releases for current announcements)
• Mission Focus: Disease prevention, health promotion, and environmental protection.

The leadership, including Health Director Dr. Nancy Welch, has recently emphasized the importance of community-wide efforts to combat rising health issues, including the ongoing fight against overdose deaths through accessible services and education.

Recent Public Health Initiatives and 2025 Focus Areas

The CHD proactively addresses emerging and persistent health concerns through targeted campaigns and services. Recent news releases highlight several critical focus areas for 2025:

• Overdose Death Reduction: The department is actively providing services aimed at reducing overdose deaths within the community.
• Child Safety and Drowning Prevention: Following a regional increase in child drownings, the department has issued advisories and educational materials to raise awareness about water safety.
• Global Handwashing Day: The CHD promotes hygiene education, emphasizing hand sanitation to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• Immunization Clinics: The department continues to host clinics to ensure students are vaccinated before the start of the school year, protecting against communicable diseases.

Comprehensive Clinical and Wellness Programs

The Chesapeake Health Department’s clinical division offers confidential, low-cost, or free services to ensure all residents have access to essential preventative healthcare. These services are often appointment-based, though some clinics offer walk-in options.

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The WIC Program: Supporting Women and Children

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is one of the CHD's most utilized services. It provides vital resources to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age five who meet income guidelines.

• Services Provided: Nutrition education, supplemental nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other health and social services.
• WIC Office Locations: The main WIC services are available at the Great Bridge office, with a satellite office also operating in South Norfolk.

Sexual Wellness and Infectious Disease Control

The department plays a critical role in controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and other infectious conditions like Tuberculosis (TB). These services are provided with a high degree of confidentiality and professionalism.

• Sexual Wellness Clinic: This clinic offers testing, diagnosis, and treatment for STDs. It typically operates on a walk-in basis (first-come, first-served) for maximum accessibility.
• Chesapeake Wellness Program: A specialized program providing comprehensive health services for uninsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS and other STDs.
• Immunization Services: Routine and necessary vaccinations for children, adolescents, and adults are provided by appointment only.
• Tuberculosis Screenings: TB testing and follow-up care are available to the public, also by appointment.

Environmental Health and Community Protection Services

The Environmental Health (EH) division is tasked with protecting the public from environmental hazards and ensuring the safety of public facilities. This division is crucial for maintaining the quality of life and preventing outbreaks of foodborne or waterborne illnesses.

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The CHD’s Environmental Health services cover a broad range of regulatory and educational functions, ensuring compliance with state and local health codes.

Key Environmental Health Entities and Inspections

The EH division performs routine inspections and issues permits for numerous establishments and activities. The goal is to enforce public health regulations and provide essential food safety training.

• Food Establishments: Inspection and permitting of restaurants, food service operations, and temporary food vendors to ensure food safety.
• Tourist and Recreational Establishments: Oversight of facilities like campgrounds, summer camps, and tourist homes to maintain sanitation and safety standards.
• Body Art Regulation: Inspection and permitting of tattoo and body piercing establishments to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens.
• Onsite Sewage and Water: Permitting and inspection of private well water systems and septic systems (onsite sewage disposal) to protect groundwater and public health.
• Rabies Control: Monitoring and managing animal-related health risks, including rabies control and investigation.

The department also offers food safety training for certified food safety managers and food handlers, a critical service for local businesses.

Navigating Services and Appointments

Accessing services at the Chesapeake Health Department is streamlined, but residents should be aware of appointment requirements. Most clinical services, including immunizations and TB screenings, require a scheduled appointment. The Sexual Wellness Clinic, however, often accepts walk-ins.

For general inquiries, the main clinic number (757-382-8631) is the best starting point. Costs for medical services range from free to full fee, determined on a sliding scale based on the service provided and the patient's ability to pay, ensuring no one is turned away for critical care.

By offering this extensive range of services—from essential nutrition through WIC to critical environmental inspections—the Chesapeake Health Department VA remains a cornerstone of the community’s health infrastructure, continuously adapting its programs to meet the current health needs of its residents.